Government-backed resilience programme launched

Dementia and wellbeing in the workplace are just two of the topics being covered as part of a new wide-ranging programme of business support for Lancashire companies.

The Boost Resilience Programme is being led by Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

It is aimed at building business resilience and performance by helping business leaders better understand the world around them and how it impacts their operations.

It will cover key topics helping them to build a strong, motivated team while supporting business owners and managers to develop their own leadership skills and mindset. The programme will also help them to understand developing business issues such as social value and sustainability.

Boost will work with eleven private sector partners such as Age Concern, The Shared Value Business and The Wellbeing Farm. The support will include events, coaching and group training sessions.

In addition, Boost has commissioned a report on women in business leadership positions in the county as well as the creation of a women’s enterprise working group.

Andrew Leeming, programme manager, Boost, said: “The past two years have shown that building a sustainable and resilient business is among the key issues for business leaders in Lancashire.

“Boost helps company owners adapt to the changing business landscape by better understanding their own company. That includes addressing important topics which it may be uncomfortable for some to discuss.

“We’re partnering with some of the county’s best business support providers through this programme. Owners and managers who engage with our support will develop a company better able to handle future crises and one with a more motived staff and understanding working culture.”

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership). It is supported by funding from Lancashire County Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Boost is a fully funded service and helps business owners and leaders develop and achieve their growth plans, manage their business and develop their leadership skills.

The partners chosen to work with Boost across the Resilience Programme include: Age Concern, APD Resolutions, Cube Thinking, Imperative Solutions, Lovelocalnetworking, Pink Link, Six Connections, The Growing Club, Role, The Shared Value Business and The Wellbeing Farm.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council said: “Over recent years businesses have needed to adapt to survive amid a storm of external factors impacting their operations.

“Understanding your own business and the factors impacting your staff and operations have been crucial over this period and that will remain as the business landscape continues to change.

“Through Boost, Lancashire County Council is pleased to be able to offer this BEIS funded support to the business community so company owners and managers can receive support and training on a wide range of important topics.”

Business leaders looking for more information on the Boost Resilience Programme can visit: https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/business-support/resilience-programme/

They can also call Boost’s Relationship Management team on 0800 488 0057 for advice on the Boost Resilience Programme and other funded services available through Boost or contact Boost’s team via the contact us page on the Boost website.